Local News

Topsham Museum ‘On The Move’ During Closure

The late 17th century building at the heart of Topsham Museum is undergoing large-scale repair work for several months this year - preventing the museum opening for its 2025 season as scheduled in the spring.

Work undertaken late last year by the museum’s landlord, Exeter City Council, revealed more substantial problems with the structure of the building, located on Topsham’s Strand, close to the Exe Estuary.

Using specialist contractors, the council has now enveloped the period house in scaffolding. The building has been emptied of its collections and the council...

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Final resurfacing work planned on Rifford Road

The final two phases of resurfacing work on Rifford Road in Exeter are scheduled to be carried out over the next couple of months.

A large section of the road, between the junctions with Quarry Lane and Lethbridge Road, was resurfaced last month as part of the development of the cycle route.

The remaining areas of Rifford Road to be closed for resurfacing will be:

• Monday 10 February – Friday 21 February: Lethbridge Road to 121 Rifford Road;

• Monday 17 March – Friday 28 March: 121 Rifford Road to Ludwell Lane Roundabout.

During these next...

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Local farm shop shortlisted in Farm Retail Association Awards

Darts Farm and its new flagship restaurant The Farm Table in Devon have been nominated as a finalist in three categories in this year’s prestigious Farm Retail Association (FRA) Awards including Large Farm Shop of the Year, Farm Café/Restaurant of the Year and Rising Star of the Year

Over 50 years ago, Ronald Dart pioneered UK pick-your-own farming. After his passing, sons Paul, Michael, and James transformed Darts Farm into a celebrated Exeter hub for farm-to-table dining, local produce, artisan goods, and sustainable practices, championing regional flavours through vibrant...

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People needed to join Devon NHS trust’s Council of Governors

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is looking for four people to play a vital role in the work of their local NHS by nominating themselves to be a public governor.

The Trust, which provides medical services through the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital and North Devon District Hospital, has a Council of Governors with people from across Devon representing their local communities.

The Trust has a good number of governors representing Northern and Eastern Devon, but has unfilled seats in its Southern constituency – including Exeter, Teignbridge,...

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Massive Exeter housing scheme approved

Building more than 1,000 new homes alongside Exeter’s canal will be a ‘watershed’ moment for the city.

But members of the city council planning committee have raised concerns over whether the Water Lane development will provide the affordable homes the city desperately needs.

Chairman Paul Knott (Lab, Exwick) told them: “This is possibly the largest and most complex application we have seen. It is a project 20 years in the making. ”

The Water Lane Development Management Committee now has permission to start work across a huge area which was once home to a meat...

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Cornish Mutual signs headline sponsorship deal with Devon County Show

THE organisers of Devon County Show are thrilled to announce a new headline sponsor for their annual event - Cornish Mutual.

This South West based insurance and services provider puts farmers at the heart of all it does and has been supporting the Show for many years, including sponsorship of the main livestock arena since 2022. This year they are taking their support to the highest level by becoming headline sponsor.

Lisa Moore, Devon County Show Manager, expressed her delight in having Cornish Mutual on board. She said: “The Devon County Show is the biggest...

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Devon Air Ambulance seek volunteers in Exeter

Devon Air Ambulance (DAA) not only operates a chain of 22 charity shops but also has a strong online presence through an eBay and ecommerce site, Shop daat.org , where shoppers can discover preloved treasures from the comfort of their own home. The process of keeping each and every one of those outlets fully stocked is managed from their Exeter warehouse.

DAA is calling upon locals who may be looking for something new to try in 2025 and could offer their spare time to volunteer with the friendly team in Marsh Barton.

The charity is looking for keen helpers who can put...

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Moving event helps South West teenagers reflect on the horrors of the Holocaust 

Teenagers from around the South West were able to learn about and reflect on the horrors of the Holocaust as part of a moving event at the University of Exeter.

The event took place ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day next week, which marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the largest Nazi death camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau.

A member of the ‘second generation’, Rosemary Schonfeld, from Devon, whose uncles and grandparents were murdered in Auschwitz, told pupils her family’s story.

The educational conference, now in its 9th year, was designed to show how the...

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FORCE Santa Cycle and Cruise January 2025

FORCE Santa Cycle a hit for all ages

The FORCE Santa Cycle and Cruise raised £6,386.50, despite being rescheduled from November to January.

Dozens of red-suited cyclists pedalled their way from Topsham to Exmouth earlier this month and joined a Stuart Lines Cruises boat for a trip back along the River Exe.

The event attracted cyclists of all ages, who started the New Year with a ho-ho-ho and one last festive treat for all the family before the tinsel was put away!

Stanley Sokolowski was one of the youngest taking part. The four-year-old from Exeter rode alongside mum Chloe Smith and raised £400 for...

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Calling all chefs! Applications now open for MasterChef: The Professionals 2025

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Thu, 01/23/2025 - 5:18pm

Shine TV, makers of the world-class MasterChef: The Professionals , are on the hunt for the UK’s most talented, up-and-coming chefs to apply for the 18th series, for BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

The competition continues from our new home in Digbeth, Birmingham, to showcase and celebrate exceptional culinary talent from across the UK and provide a springboard for chefs to achieve industry acclaim.

The latest series was a huge success, with Lancaster-based chef, Dan Merriman triumphing as the 2024 Champion.

Over the years, MasterChef: The Professionals has propelled...

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Westbank helps drive away the winter blues with a warm, welcoming space for the community

Authored by Sharon Goble
Posted: Wed, 01/22/2025 - 10:42pm

Westbank Community Health and Care is marking Warm Welcome Week (20 - 26 January) with an upgraded warm space for members of the community in and around Exminster, seeking a welcoming, heated place during the daytime where they can share a cuppa and conversation this winter.

January can be a particularly challenging time of year, with Blue Monday a low point for many. To help combat the winter blues and ease cost-of-living pressures for those who are struggling to heat their home or feel isolated within their own four walls, Westbank has once again opened the doors of Warmwell...

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